Manager, UX/UI Design

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Manager, UX/UI Design
Company: Brightspeed
Location: Works From Home, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Category: Digital Experience & Design Operations
Date Posted: 2025-10-29T23:32:26.079
Experience Level: 2-5 years
Remote Status: Hybrid (Office location: Charlotte, NC)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and mentor a dedicated eCommerce creative team, including UX/UI Designers and Copywriters/Content Strategists, fostering a culture of creative excellence and continuous improvement within digital product development.
• Drive the creation of exceptional, user-centered digital experiences across Brightspeed's customer journey, from initial discovery on the public website to account management on digital platforms.
• Establish and enforce high creative standards for both design and copy, ensuring cohesive, on-brand messaging that anticipates user needs and drives specific business outcomes.
• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships with Sales, Data Analytics, Project Management, and Product teams to align creative initiatives with business objectives and project timelines.
• Develop deep expertise across Brightspeed's digital product ecosystem, including the website, service purchase flow, customer account management platform, and mobile applications, to inform strategic design direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Digital Experience & Design Operations, as it bridges creative leadership with operational efficiency in delivering digital products. The hybrid nature implies a requirement for strong remote collaboration tools and in-office presence for key strategic sessions, a common dynamic for leadership roles in modern operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Development: Manage and mentor direct reports (UX/UI Designer, Copywriter/Content Strategist) and oversee the work of agency creatives, focusing on talent nurturing, creative standard setting, and driving productive creative working sessions.
• Creative Output Management: Establish and maintain high standards for design and copy, ensuring cohesive, engaging, and on-brand user experiences that meet business requirements and anticipate edge cases.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Build and maintain strong relationships with peers in Sales, Data Analytics, Project Management, and Product to ensure creative solutions align with sales objectives, business timelines, and product vision.
• Strategic Design Direction: Develop a comprehensive understanding of the digital product ecosystem (website, purchase flow, account management, mobile apps) to guide the team in creating cohesive, user-centered digital experiences.
• Process Optimization: Partner with the Senior Project Manager to evolve and refine processes that effectively balance creative needs with business timelines and project execution efficiency.
• Business Objective Alignment: Collaborate with the Senior Sales + Data Analyst to direct creative solutions that achieve specific sales objectives and measurable business outcomes.
• User-Centric Problem Solving: Proactively identify and address complex user experience challenges, guiding the team to craft innovative solutions that exceed expectations.
• Agile Navigation: Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability as priorities shift, while maintaining a self-starter, organized, and proactive approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of people management, strategic design leadership, and operational process improvement, typical of a Managerial role in a digital product organization focused on Go-To-Market (GTM) enablement and customer experience.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected for a leadership role of this nature. Experience: 2+ years in a creative leadership role within a product organization, with a demonstrated track record of managing teams and delivering successful digital products.

Required Skills:

• Creative Leadership: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and inspire creative teams, including direct reports and agency partners.
• User-Centered Design Principles: Strong problem-solving abilities rooted in a deep understanding of user needs, usability, and UX best practices.
• Content Strategy & Copy Management: Expertise in providing strategic content direction, mentoring copywriters, and understanding eCommerce content nuances for persuasive messaging and intuitive user guidance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Demonstrated success in partnering effectively with product managers, sales teams, data analysts, and project managers to achieve shared goals.
• Organizational Excellence: Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, balance competing priorities, and adapt to evolving business needs.
• Communication & Advocacy: Ability to effectively advocate for creative team needs and translate business requirements into clear creative direction for the team.
• Figma Proficiency: Demonstrated expertise as a power user of Figma for design and prototyping.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile development processes and the ability to apply them to creative workflows.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the telecommunications or a related utility industry.
• Familiarity with A/B testing and conversion rate optimization (CRO) principles.
• Experience with user research methodologies and incorporating findings into design.
• Knowledge of SEO best practices for web content.
• Experience managing external creative agencies or vendors.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Figma, content strategy, and cross-functional collaboration points towards a role deeply integrated into the GTM and product development lifecycles, requiring operations-minded individuals who can translate strategic goals into tangible digital outputs.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Leadership Case Studies: Showcase examples of leading creative teams through complex design projects, highlighting your role in strategy, execution, and team management.
• User-Centric Design Examples: Present projects demonstrating a deep understanding of user needs, including problem identification, solution design, and measurable user experience improvements.
• Content Strategy Integration: Provide examples of how you've integrated content strategy with UX/UI design to create cohesive and effective customer journeys.
• Process Improvement Demonstrations: Include instances where you've implemented new frameworks or methodologies to improve team performance, output quality, or cross-functional collaboration efficiency.
• Figma Project Demonstrations: Showcase your expertise in Figma, including complex component libraries, prototyping, and design system contributions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Candidates should be prepared to discuss frameworks they've implemented for managing creative workflows, from ideation and wireframing to final asset delivery, emphasizing efficiency and quality control.
• Cross-Functional Process Integration: Demonstrate experience in designing and documenting processes that facilitate seamless collaboration between design, product, sales, and development teams.
• Creative Standards & Guidelines: Provide examples of how you've established and documented creative standards, style guides, or design systems to ensure brand consistency and efficient asset creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a leadership role in design operations, a portfolio should not only showcase design quality but also the candidate's ability to manage processes, lead teams, and drive operational efficiency within the creative function.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a Manager, UX/UI Design with 2-5 years of leadership experience in a hybrid/remote role within the Charlotte, NC area, a competitive salary range would likely be between $100,000 - $140,000 annually. This estimate considers the cost of living in Charlotte, the specialized nature of UX/UI leadership, and the company's funding (backed by Apollo Global Management).

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans.
• Life Insurance coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health and wellness support.
• 401K plan with a company match, supporting long-term financial planning.
• A host of voluntary benefits designed to offer flexibility and choice.
• Recognition as a Top Workplace by the Charlotte Observer, indicating a positive work environment.

Working Hours: Standard full-time employment, typically 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature of the role allows for flexibility in scheduling within business hours, balancing remote work with in-office collaboration needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate based on typical market rates for similar roles in the specified location and experience level, adjusted for industry standards. It's crucial for candidates to research current market data for their specific region and experience.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Telecommunications and Internet Service Provider, with a focus on accelerating fiber optic technology upgrades, particularly in underserved rural markets. Company Size: Brightspeed is a significant player in the telecommunications sector, employing a substantial workforce across multiple states, indicating a robust organizational structure with opportunities for cross-functional impact. Founded: Backed by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, Brightspeed is a relatively new entity formed from acquired assets, aiming to rapidly modernize its infrastructure and customer experience. This suggests a dynamic, growth-oriented environment.

Team Structure: The role reports to the Senior Director, Digital Sales & Experience and manages two direct reports (UX/UI Designer, Copywriter/Content Strategist). This implies a lean, focused team structure within a larger digital and marketing organization, with significant collaboration expected across departments.

Methodology: Brightspeed emphasizes a customer-centric approach, aiming for "best-in-class customer experience." The company is focused on technological advancement (fiber optics) and operational efficiency to achieve its vision. The UX/UI design team is expected to contribute to this by creating seamless digital journeys that support business objectives.

Company Website: https://www.brightspeed.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Brightspeed's focus on modernization and customer experience within the telecommunications sector provides a clear context for the UX/UI design team's strategic importance in driving adoption and satisfaction.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Managerial position within the digital experience and design function, overseeing a core creative team. It represents a step up from individual contributor roles, requiring leadership, strategic thinking, and process management skills.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the Senior Director, Digital Sales & Experience. This senior leadership position provides a clear reporting line and access to strategic decision-making within the digital sales and experience domain.

Operations Impact: The UX/UI Design Manager will have a direct impact on Brightspeed's customer acquisition and retention through the optimization of digital touchpoints. By ensuring exceptional user experiences on the website, purchase flows, and customer portals, this role directly contributes to sales conversion rates, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency in customer support.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into roles like Senior Manager or Director of Digital Experience, leading larger teams or broader areas of digital product strategy.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the future of Brightspeed's digital customer journey, influencing product roadmaps and strategic priorities.
• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of UX/UI design, content strategy, or digital operations management through hands-on experience and potential training opportunities.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Develop broader business acumen by working closely with sales, marketing, product, and operations teams, paving the way for future GTM leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within a growing company, emphasizing the development of both people leadership and strategic operational capabilities essential for GTM success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work model, with the company headquarters located in Charlotte, NC. This suggests a modern office space designed to facilitate collaboration for hybrid teams. Office Location(s): Brightspeed HQ is located at the Vantage South End - East Tower in Charlotte, NC. This prime location offers accessibility and a vibrant working environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model necessitates strong digital collaboration tools and an office space designed for team interaction, brainstorming, and cross-functional meetings for those in the Charlotte area.
• Tools & Technology: Expect access to industry-standard design software (Figma), project management tools, and communication platforms essential for remote and hybrid teamwork.
• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular interaction with direct reports, cross-functional peers, and senior leadership, both virtually and in person.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is expected, the hybrid nature and leadership responsibilities may offer some flexibility in daily scheduling, contingent on team needs and project deadlines. The focus is on output and effective collaboration, rather than strict adherence to hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid setup requires strong self-management and proficiency with remote collaboration tools, while the Charlotte HQ provides a central point for strategic in-person engagements.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Focus on leadership experience, team management philosophy, strategic thinking, and understanding of UX/UI principles. Expect questions about how you've led teams and driven creative excellence.
• Portfolio Review with Team/Peers: Present a curated selection of your work, focusing on leadership case studies, user-centered design examples, and process improvements. Be prepared to discuss your design rationale, collaboration methods, and the impact of your work.
• Cross-Functional Interview(s): Interviews with peers from Product, Sales, or Project Management to assess collaboration skills, communication style, and ability to align creative efforts with business objectives.
• Final Round Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss overall strategic vision, cultural alignment, and long-term potential within Brightspeed.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select projects that best demonstrate leadership, user-centered design, content strategy integration, and process improvement. Tailor your selection to the specific requirements of the Manager, UX/UI Design role.
• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role and team's approach, the solutions developed, the tools used (especially Figma), and the measurable outcomes or impact on user experience and business goals.
• Highlight Leadership: Emphasize your role in guiding teams, mentoring individuals, and implementing effective creative processes.
• Demonstrate Process: Be ready to discuss the workflows you've established or improved, and how you ensure quality and efficiency.
• Be Prepared for Figma Deep Dive: Expect to discuss your Figma workflow, component libraries, and how you leverage its features for collaboration and design system management.

Challenge Preparation:

• Leadership Scenario Questions: Prepare for questions about how you handle team conflicts, motivate underperformers, champion new ideas, and manage demanding stakeholders.
• Design Problem-Solving: Be ready to discuss how you would approach a hypothetical design challenge related to Brightspeed's products or customer journey.
• Process Improvement Scenarios: Think about how you would analyze and improve an existing creative workflow or cross-functional collaboration process.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio that showcases not just design talent but also operational leadership and process thinking is crucial for this role. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their strategic contributions and team management capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, prototyping, collaboration, and design system management. Candidates must be power users.
• Design & Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in tools beyond Figma, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Sketch (if applicable), InVision, or similar platforms.
• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for managing creative workflows, tasks, and project timelines.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar for understanding user behavior and performance metrics.
• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with platforms like Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for interpreting data and communicating insights to stakeholders.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Understanding of how CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) interact with digital experiences and customer journeys, though direct management may not be required.
• Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience with CMS platforms (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager, WordPress) for website content management.
• Collaboration Suites: Proficient use of tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams for daily communication and team coordination.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is explicitly called out as a requirement. Beyond design tools, familiarity with project management and analytics platforms is key for operational effectiveness and demonstrating the impact of design decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A core value driving all decisions to ensure the digital experience meets and exceeds customer expectations.
• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new technologies (like fiber optics) and adapting quickly to evolving market demands and business priorities.
• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering strong partnerships across departments and maintaining open communication channels for effective problem-solving.
• Excellence & Accountability: Striving for high-quality creative outputs and taking ownership of results, both individually and as a team.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing analytics to inform design choices and measure the impact of creative strategies on business objectives.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands close collaboration with Product Owners, Sales Analysts, Project Managers, and potentially Marketing teams, requiring an ability to translate between technical, business, and creative domains.
• Feedback-Driven Improvement: An open culture for constructive feedback on design and content, used to refine work and improve team processes.
• Proactive Communication: Encouraging the team to proactively share updates, raise concerns, and seek input from stakeholders to ensure alignment and avoid roadblocks.

📝 Enhancement Note: Brightspeed's emphasis on customer experience, innovation, and collaboration aligns perfectly with the operational ethos of a successful design leadership role, requiring individuals who can drive efficiency while championing user needs.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Business Needs with User Experience: Navigating the inherent tension between aggressive sales targets and optimal user-centered design, requiring strong negotiation and strategic communication skills.
• Managing a Hybrid Team: Effectively leading and motivating both direct reports and agency creatives in a hybrid work environment, ensuring consistent quality and collaboration.
• Rapidly Evolving Digital Landscape: Staying abreast of the latest UX/UI trends, design tools, and digital technologies to maintain a competitive edge for Brightspeed's offerings.
• Integrating Legacy and New Systems: Contributing to the modernization of digital platforms, potentially involving the integration of new technologies with existing infrastructure.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UX/UI & Design Leadership Training: Opportunities to attend industry conferences, workshops, or online courses focused on cutting-edge design practices and leadership development.
• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Gaining deeper insights into sales operations, data analytics, and product management through active collaboration and project involvement.
• Mentorship Programs: Potential access to mentorship from senior leaders within Brightspeed or through industry networks.
• Exposure to Strategic Initiatives: Involvement in high-impact projects that shape Brightspeed's digital future, offering significant learning and visibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for leadership roles in dynamic companies, offering significant opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement in both design and operational management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a team through a challenging design project. What was the challenge, your role, and the outcome?" (Focus on leadership, problem-solving, and results.)
• "How do you balance competing business objectives with user needs when making design decisions?" (Assess your strategic thinking and user advocacy.)
• "Walk us through your process for establishing and maintaining creative standards for a design team." (Evaluate your operational approach to quality control and brand consistency.)
• "How would you collaborate with a Sales + Data Analyst to ensure creative outputs directly support sales goals?" (Test your cross-functional communication and GTM understanding.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Brightspeed's mission and our focus on fiber optic technology? How would your team's work support this?" (Demonstrate your research and strategic alignment.)
• "Describe your ideal team culture for a creative department. How do you foster that environment?" (Assess your leadership style and cultural fit.)
• "How do you approach managing agency creatives in addition to internal direct reports?" (Evaluate your vendor management and team integration skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly define the problem, your strategic approach, the specific design and content solutions, your leadership contributions, and the measurable impact.
• Highlight Figma Expertise: Be ready to demonstrate specific Figma workflows, component usage, and how you leverage it for team collaboration and design system maintenance.
• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to showcase the success of your projects (e.g., increased conversion rates, improved user satisfaction scores, reduced bounce rates).
• Showcase Process & Collaboration: Illustrate how you've improved workflows, managed projects, and collaborated effectively with cross-functional partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating leadership, strategic thinking, operational efficiency in managing creative processes, and a deep understanding of user-centered design principles, all within the context of Brightspeed's business objectives.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Manager, UX/UI Design position:

• Submit your application through the provided job portal link on Brightspeed's careers page.
• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight your leadership experience, UX/UI design achievements, content strategy contributions, and proficiency in Figma. Use keywords from the job description, such as "creative leadership," "user-centered design," "content strategy," and "cross-functional collaboration."
• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 3-5 strong case studies that best exemplify your leadership, design thinking, process improvement initiatives, and ability to deliver on business objectives. Ensure your portfolio is easily accessible (e.g., via a link) and clearly demonstrates your comprehensive skills.
• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your experience and portfolio projects, focusing on your leadership role, strategic contributions, and the impact of your work. Be ready to discuss how you manage teams and optimize creative processes.
• Research Brightspeed: Familiarize yourself with Brightspeed's products, services, mission, and recent company news. Consider how your role and team can directly contribute to their goals, particularly in enhancing their digital customer experience and supporting their fiber rollout.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

---